Computing-scale.



No. 7|6,2I|. Patented Dec. I6, I902.

E. FINN.

COMPUTING SCALE.

(Application filed June 10, 1899.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Shoat I.

1756 1655 Zea-8.712502 UNITED STATES EDIVIN FINN, OF ELKIIART, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY IWIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WALTER F. STIMPSON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

COMPUTING-SCALE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,211, dated December 16, 1902.

Application filed June 10, 1899. Serial No- 720.004. (No model.)

To (bZ Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN FINN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkhart, county of Elkhart, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oomputing Scales, which, are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates to weighing-scales having devices by which the value, at any selected price, of the quantity Weighed may be indicated in connection with the indication of the Weight.

[5 It consists in the elements and features of construction which are specified in the claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a scale having my improvements. Fig. 2 is a fore-andaft section at the line 2 2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of a fragment of the computing member and price-poise thereon on a magnified scale. Fig. 4C is a detail section at the line 1 4 on Fig. 1 on an' enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a detail section at the line 5 5, Fig.

1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a section at the line 6 6 on Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an elevation of a portion of-a computing member having the graduated scales arranged on it differently from Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 8 is a detail section at the line 8 S on Fig. 7.

I have illustrated a platform-scale; butmy present invention is not concerned with the mechanism below the platform, which therefore is not illustrated.

A is a base-frame. Bis a platform thereon.

D is a beam fulcrumed or poised at the bracket (1, which extends up from the horizontal shelf E, supported by the standards E E, extending up from the base.

40 O is a connecting-rod extending up from the platform mechanism connected to the sway-link F, which hangs upon and transmits the load to the load-pivot F on the lefthand arm of the poised beam D. At its opposite extremities the poise-beam has the upwardly-extending arms D D, in which at the upper extremities there is pivoted a revoluble cylindrical weight-indicating and valuecomputing member or chart G, pivoted at and revoluble about its axis, which at poised position of the beam is designed to be horizontal. The chart G extends, as will be seen, past the fulcrum of the beam D, approximately equal portions being located at opposite sides of said fulcrum. The right-hand end of the beam carries the customary swinging poise-support M, and the weight is distributed so that the sliding poise J on the chart G produces a balance when it stands at the zero-point of the scale, which is at the left-hand end. The cylindrical member or. chart G has parallel longitudinal guides g g for the sliding poise .I, which is thereby rendered non-rotatable on said cylindrical member. At a sufficient number of longitudinal 6 lines on the cylindrical surface of said memher to cause one or more to be visible from any given position at either side at whatever position the revoluble cylindrical member may stand there are permanently inscribed 7o or otherwise produced on the surface of the cylinder identically graduated scales having weight indications. Asillustrated, there are two such longitudinal bars and the graduated scales, with their weight indications, are inscribed, one at each side of each of the longitudinal guides g g and are denoted by the letters G G G G The intervening portion of the cylindrical surface of the chart member G is laid off in parallel longi- 8o tudinal lines or rows of value indications each line corresponding to a different price, and the figures indicating value in the several lines, respectively, are the product of the price to which the line corresponds by the weights indicatedin the graduated-Weight scale at the points, respectively, in transverse or circumferential alinement with said value indications. The sliding poise J is circumferentially subdivided, the subdivio sions corresponding to and being respec-. tively in longitudinal alinement with the lines of value indications on the scale, and such subdivisions of the price-poise are permanently marked with characters indicating 5 the prices, respectively, which are used as multipliers for the respective lines of value indications with which said subdivisions of the price-poise are in alinement.

The advantages ofa cylindrical chart memme her for a computing-scale over a flat or panelforin chart, in addition to the area Which'the cylindrical form affords for the incorporation of the value-scales and the adaptation of this form to contain value-scales for a greater number of prices than can be placed upon the fiat or panel-form chart having the same extent vertically, is that drafts of air to which the fiat plate may be exposed tend seriously to interfere with the accuracy of the scale by acting on the inclined plane presented to them by the plate, which will seldom stand either horizontal or exactly vertical. Such drafts, assuming them to be horizontal, striking on an upwardly-inclined surface tend to force the beam downward, or striking on the downwardly-exposed inclined surface tend to force the beam upward. This objection pertains equally to any form which is not cylindrical, even though it be not strictly fiat. Another disadvantage of the fiat plate or panel for such a chart member is that inasmuch as such member is necessarily made as light as possible, when it is in the form of a fiat plate it tends to sag in the middle except when standing vertically, and even when standing vertically a similar deflection is produced by the action of drafts of air against it. Even such slight disturbance of the axis interferes noticeably with the accuracy of the scale when in use. The construction of a cylindrical chart member for a computingscale in order to yield the full advantage of the form must therefore be contrived with special reference to the nature of these advantages, and the structure which I have shown for the cylindrical chart member of my improved scale is dictated by these considerations.

It is important that the greatest rigidity may be combined with the lightest weight in such cylindrical chart member and that at the same time all the corresponding weight indications on the several graduated scales should be absolutely coincident or registered-that is, in the same plane at right angles to the axis, or so that the path of rotation of any given weight indication on one scale as the cylindrical chart member revolves about its axis shall absolutely coincide with the paths of rotation of all the corresponding weight indications of the other scales. It is also essential that the subdivisions of the graduated weight-scales shall correspond perfectly with the value indications of the longitudinal lines of values and that the relation between the two shall be free from possibility of disturbance. The last-mentioned purpose is accomplished by imprinting or impressing or otherwise permanently producing both the weight-scales and the value-scales simultaneously and by means of one and the same imprinting or impressing device upon an integral element, so that the means for producing the two scales properly coincident as to their respective subdivisions having been once produced no adjustment is ever necessary to establish such coincidence in the construction of the scales. For the purpose of lightness and rigidity and for the purpose at the same time of providing the necessary longitudinal guides for the sliding poise it has been found desirable to make thecylindrical shell of the chart, on which the weight and value indications are marked, in a plurality of cylindrical segment elements g g, which are joined together by similar bars g 9 which afford the inward longitudinal guidance for the price-poise. I make these cylindrical seg ment elements of commercial tin or other suitable metal, upon one surface of which before curving them the weight and value scales are printed, preferably by lithographic process, the imprint being made permanent by baking in a manner well understood. Identity or perfect coincidence of the corresponding graduations being obtained in the imprinting stones or plates and the two parts being thus marked, so that when properly assembled their corresponding grad uations will coincide, they are given a proper curvature by wellknown means and are then assembled with the longitudinal bars g 9 the latter being longitudinally grooved at opposite surfaces to receive the lateral edges of the cylindrical segment elements g g, and the two sets of elementsthat is to say, the parallel elements 9 g and the cylindrical segment elements g g-being assembled said cylindrical elements are adjusted until their corresponding markings coincide perfectly, and they are then united to the longitudinal bars by soldering or otherwise, the method of soldering being preferred, because it can be accomplished by the momentary application of the soldering-iron or gas-jet at the inner side of the elements to be united Without the application of any mechanical force which would tend to destroy the proper registration ofthe parts. The cylindrical scale maybe suitably stiff, notwithstanding the cylindrical elements 9 g are made of very light sheet metal, by framing up the longitudinal bars with cross-bars g and uniting them to circular plates or spiders g g of suitable circumference to accurately seat the ends of the semicylindrical elements when the latter are assembled, as described,with their lateral edges entered in the grooves of the longitudinal bars. One of the head plates or spiders may be left out until after the soldering of the sheet-metal cylindrical elements to the longitudinal bars has been accomplished.

On some accounts it is preferable to inscribe the graduated weight-scales at a plurality of positions in the circumference of the cylindrical chart elsewhere than adjacent to the guide-ribs on which the sliding poise is carried, and in order that the weight may always be read readily in whatever direction the light may fall upon the cylinder a desirable locationfor these scales is as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, two such scales beingmarked upon each, the cylindrical elements between the two guiding-ribs about ninety degrees apart and forty-five degrees from the two ribs, respectively. Two of these scales will be always in view in whatever position the observer stands, and one will always be in good position with respect to the light from whatever direction the light falls on the cylinder.

The price-poise sliding over the cylindrical chart must be so mounted thereon as not to mar the marking of value and weight scales marked on the cylindrical surface, and for that purpose the longitudinal guide-bars and the sliding poise are reciprocally constructed one with a groove and the other with a rib, so that the poise while standing sufficiently close to the cylindrical surface of the scale to insure accurate reading of the latter by the edge of the former is out of contact therewith, the only contact being that which is obtained at the cooperating rib and groove- It is not vitally material which element has a rib and which has a groove; but in the construction illustrated the ribs are formed by thelongitudinal bars, and the sliding poise has the grooves.

The poised beam on which the cylindrical chart member is mounted may be utilized as a weighing-beam, its most convenient use being for tare, and it is thus represented in the drawings having the customary tare-poise H. Such a tare-poise should be provided with means for looking it to the beam to prevent accidental displacement. Such a lock should be adapted to secure the poise at any point on the beam, and a direct clamping action is therefore the only practical action for locking the device. It is essential, of course, that any part which is employed for locking device and which is moved to lock the poise should not by such movement disturb the balance or poise of the beam. Devices for this purpose and intended to preserve this equality having movement transverse to the length of the beam are objectionable for a variety of reasons, among others that the clamping is effected crosswise of the edge of the beam and is likely to result in mutilating the narrow edge of the beam upon which the clamping pressure is thus applied. I avoid this difficulty and others incident to such objectionable mode of locking by employing an eccentric cam K, pivoted in the poise below the beam, the pivot being transverse to the length of the beam, so that the locking movement of the cam is in a vertical plane longitudinal with respect to the beam, the cam being so shaped that notwithstanding the eccentricity of its clamping edge its center of gravity is at the pivotal center, so that the balance or poise of the beam is not disturbed by the looking or unlocking movement of the cam. This cam can be thus constructed in a form which will comprise a lever arm or finger K, extending below the poise where it can be readily removed, movement in either direction from the central vertical position having the effect to clamp the poise to the beam. As a matter of convenience in construction the poise is made in two pieces Whose junction plane is vertical and longitudinal with respect to the beam, and the pivot-lodgments for the lock K being formed one in each piece of the poise, the lock being inserted between the parts before they are clamped together by the screws h h, is retained in the poise by the same means by which the poise is retained on the beam.

Another feature of my improved scale is found in the construction and location of the correcting-poise L It is necessary in order to preserve the accuracy of the weighing-scale that provision should be made for correcting it from time to time to compensate for such slight but nevertheless important changes in the weight of the various parts whose weight is suspended from the beam, including the platform and platform connections. Such changes are liable to be caused by rust and by the accumulation of dust or dirt in other form, sometimes by the gumming of the parts and by the cracking off or wearing off of paint or enamel from the platform. Wherever this correcting-poise is located on the poised beam, it will be manifest that the heavier it is the shorter will be the movement necessary to effect any given correction and that the greater the range of movement necessary to effect a given correction the greater the accuracy with which the correction may be made by an unskilled person. It will also be evident that the weight of such correcting-poise is an always present and permanent element of the total weight carried by the beam at its fulcrum, and that if such correcting-poise is located at one side of the fulcrum it necessitates the addition to the beam of a counterbalancing mass at the other side. It will be evident also that the farther from the fulcrum horizontally this correcting-poise is located the greater the stress which is imposed upon the beam, both the weight of such poise itself and by the increase which counterbalances it on the opposite arm of the beam-that is, for the stress denoted by the product of the weight of the correctingpoise into its distance from the fulcrum there is required an added stiffness in the beam necessary to resist double this stress. In a computing-scale in which the chart member is located above the beam (and this position has, after long experience, been fixed upon as the most desirable for all reasons) it is necessary to provide means for offsetting the top weight, which the elevated position of the computing member gives, by weight below the fulcrum, so that the net result of the whole structure shall be what is known as bottom weight-to wit, the fixing of the center of-gravity sensibly below the center of support or fulcrum of the beam. For this purpose it will be evident that a given Weight below the fulcrum will offset weight above the fulcrum in proportion to the distance of such weight below the fulcrum. Any weight, therefore, which can be placed low is more IIO effective for this purpose than an equal weight which cannot be placed so low. In my improved scale I have taken advantage of the considerations above stated to reduce the weight of the beam to the minimum consistent with proper rigidity, utilizing the correctingpoise for that purpose. This I accomplish by locating the correcting-poise below the fulcrumnot merely lower than the fulcrum, but underneath it, so that at its mean position it extends substantially an equal distance both sides of the fulcrum and, with the arm which is extended from the beam to hold it, substantially balances itself, and therefore imposes upon the beam no requirement of added stiffness. Furthermore, by extending the arm which supports the correctingpoise downward, so that the correcting-poise is located at a considerable distance below the fulcrum, I make it possible by a very light poise thus located to offset a considerable portion of the top weight caused by the elevated chart or computing member. With this construction I am able to use a correcting-poise of so light weight that a desirably longer range of adj ustmentis practicable, and very accurate adjustment is rendered practicable without requiring special or expert skill. I have shown the correcting-poise L screwed onto the horizontal finger L, which projects from the depending arm L, said arm being adjustably secured at cl to the beam D vertically adjustable to secure proper bottom weight and being extended down through the shelf E, on which the fulcrum-supports d are mounted, said shelf being apertured at e for this purpose, so that the finger L extends underneath the shelf across the vertical plane of the fulcrum-axis of the beam, so that the weight of the poise L and the arm and finger which carry it ispartly upon one side and partly upon the other side of that plane, the intention being that at the mean position of the poise the Weight shall be substantially balanced. In this construction, besides saving weight and making it possible to reduce the weight of the beam, both because less stiffness is required than in case the correcting-poise were horizontally remote from the fulcrum and because less weight is required in the beam itself below the fulcrum to offset the top weight of the chart member, I accomplish incidentally another purpose-to wit, concealing the correctingpoise under the shelf, so that it is less liable to be interfered with by unauthorized persons, as frequently happens when it is in the customary exposed position.

In order that the balance-ball may not be too easy of adjustment and at the same time may not wear out the thread of the stem in adjustment, I make it comprising two parts L and L both axially threaded and adapted to be screwed to the stem and having recesses Z at their proximate faces concentric about the axis, and on the threaded stem, be-

tween the two parts L and L is lodged a coiled spring L which is accommodated in the recesses Z Z and reacts between the two parts of the balance-ball as they are screwed together on the stem to take up any slack or lost motion in the threads and cause them both to be tightly seated. The two parts are preferably screwed into contact, so that they completely conceal the spring between them in the cavities Z Z This structure makes it possible to use the ball even in exposed position with greatly-reduced liability to disturbance by unauthorized interference.

I claim 1. In a weighing-scale, in combination with the poised beam thereof, an arm vertically adjustable and adapted to be made rigid with the beam, and extending downwardly therefrom near the fulcrum; a correcting-poise carried by such downwardly-extending arm, extending and horizontally adjustable underneath the fulcrum.

2. In a weighing-scale, in combination with a fulcrum-supporting shelf having a downwardly-open cavity, the poised beam fulcrumed above the shelf and having an arm extending rigidly downward through the shelf, the horizontal web of the latter being apertured forthat purpose; a correcting-poise carried on such downwardly-extended arm, and located and horizontally adjustable within the downwardly-open cavity of the shelf. 3. In a weight and value indicating scale a cylindrical value-indicating-chart member, comprising longitudinal bars, circular transverse diaphragms or heads, which connect them rigidly and are centrally pivoted, and cylindrical segment elements of sheet material seated on the periphery of such heads or diaphragms and having their lateral edges abutting on opposite sides of the longitudinal bars, respectively, and secured thereto.

at. In a weight and value scale, the cylindrical value-indicating chart member comprising diametrically opposite bars and circular diaphragms or heads which rigidly connect such bars and are rigidly connected by them, the bars having lateral longitudinal grooves at lines intersected by the circumferences of the circular diaphragms or heads, and cylindrical segment elements of sheet metal seated on the periphery of the circular diaphragins or heads, and having their lateral edges directly inserted and secured in the grooves of the bars respectively.

5. In a weighing-scale in combination with a poised beam, a cylindrical computing-scale mounted on the beam, and revoluble about its axis, said cylindrical scale comprising circular heads by which it is pivotally mounted, and a plurality of laterally-grooved longitudinal bars connecting said heads, and a plurality of cylindrical segment elements of sheet material having their longitudinal edges lodged and secured in the grooves of the longitudinal bars, and a poise encircling the cylindrical scale having longitudinal grooves by which it is seated and guided on said longitudinal bars.

6. In a weight and value scale, a cylindrical value-indicating chart member comprising diametrically opposite longitudinal bars and half-cylindrical segment elements of sheet metal Whose lateral edges abut and are joined to such bars; suitable means for pivoting such cylindrical indicating-chart member at its cylindrical axis, each of such segment elements being permanently inscribed at a plurality of longitudinal lines intermediate the lateral edges, respectively, of said elements and the middle point of their Width, with identicallygraduated scales of weight-indications, and being secured to said longitudinal bars with the corresponding markings of all such grad uating-scales, in the same planes, respectively, transverse to the axis.

7. In a Weighing-scale in combination With a beam a poise longitudinally movable on the beam, a locking device pivoted to the poise and engaging the beam byswinging about its pivot in a vertical plane longitudinal with respect to the beam, such locking device being balanced. about its said pivot in the poise.

8. In a Weighing-scale, in combination with a fulcrum-supporting shelf, a fulcrum-sup port on such shelf; the beam fulcrumed on such support; a vertically-extending shoulder or offset formed on the beam; an upwardlyextending arm at each end of the beam; a computing and Weighing member carriedin said upwardly-extending arms; and an arm secured to the offset or shoulder and extending down through an opening in the shelf; and a correcting-poise adjustably secured on said latter arm below said shelf.

9. In a Weighing-scale, in combination with a shelf having an opening formed therein, a fulcrum-support on the shelf; the beam fulcrumed on such support; upwardly-extending arms on the beam; acomputing and weighing member carried in said arms; a verticallyextending shoulder or offset formed on the beam; a bracket-arm carried by the beam, the bracket being secured sidewise to the shoulder and extending thence down through said opening in the shelf; a threaded stem extending from the bracket end below the shelf, said stem being substantially parallel with the beam; and a correcting-poise adjustably arranged upon said stem.

10. In a Weighing-scale, in combination with an apertured shelf, a fulcrum-support on the shelf immediately adjacent to the aperture; a beam fulcrumed on said fulcrum-support; an arm projecting upwardly from each end of the beam; a computing and Weighing member carried in said arms for rotary movement; a scale lever-rod connected to the beam at a point midway one beam end and the fulcrum; a downwardly-extending arm connected With the beam intermediate the lever-rod and the fulcrum, and in close proximity to the beam center, said latter arm extending through the aperture in the shelf; and a correcting-poise adjustably secured upon the portion of the arm projecting Within the shelf.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Chicago, Illinois, this 1st day of June, 1899, in presence of two Witnesses.

EDIVIN FINN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. S. BURTON, EDWARD T. WRAY. 

